Tere Bin - A Parallel Universe

Chapter Ten

Main ne tumhari ankhon main daihka or

Mere dil main tamam gham sakin hogae

Main ne Tumhari awaz suni or mere

Ird gird lafzon ke phool khil uthe

Main ne tumhe apne pas mehsoos kiya aur

Mujhe laga ke ab or kisi ki zaroorat nahi rahi

(Unknown)

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Meerab stood before the mahogany dressing table adorned with delicate perfumes and gleaming jewelry. She looked purely elegant, dressed in a rich yellow anarkali-style dress paired with fitted trousers. With its flowing silhouette and intricate white embroidery, the dress complemented her slender frame, adding an air of regality to her presence.

The color, a radiant yellow reminiscent of a sun-kissed morning, accentuated her natural beauty and cast a warm glow on her skin along with the fitted trousers that lent a modern touch to the traditional ensemble, a perfect fusion of classic and contemporary.

Her heavy hair was styled in loose waves, cascading down her shoulders like strands of liquid sunlight that added a touch of effortless elegance. The tendrils framed her face delicately, enhancing the soft curves and bringing out the sparkle in her eyes. With a final sweep of her lipstick, she turned around, her dress swirled gently as she moved.

It was the first time since she had come back that she was heading down alone. Murtasim had gone to the gaon, he had left early in the morning so that he could make it back by the evening. She had woken to him planting a gentle kiss on her forehead as he was ready to leave. Last night he had asked to take her along but she had excused herself as she was behind in her studies so she could not waste any time.

As Meerab came down, Maa Begum was sitting at the table with Anwar Khan. They smiled welcoming her for breakfast. She could visibly notice how her father's eyes lit up upon seeing her. They had gotten several chances to sit alone and talk but she was still not ready to break the ice and initiate a conversation whereas he hesitated so as not to upset her.

It was not that she didn't want to talk to her father, she had forgiven him but it just felt awkward to give Waqas's place to someone else. She had talked about this to Murtasim and his response still echoed in her ears,

"Meerab, zaroori to nahi hai ke tum Waqas Chacha ki jagah Chacha Sahab ko do...

There is no question of replacement here...

Tumhare dil main jo maqam tumhare baba ka hai us ko vahin rehna chaiye, bus jab tum Chacha Sahab ko maaf kar chuki ho or sab bhula ke aage barhna chahti ho to apne dil main thori si jagah un ko de ke dekho, everything will fall in place by itself..."

He paused and took her small plump hands in his before he spoke again,

"Time is the best healer meri Jaan, just forgive him, sab sahi ho jae ga."

She snapped out of her thoughts when she felt Maa Begum's hand on hers. She was looking at her, concern etched across her face, "Sab theek hai na baite, nashta kyun nahi kar rahi''

"Nahi Maa Begum sab theek hai, vaise hi, main karti hoon nashta", she smiled warmly and took the dish of omelettes that Anwar had extended to her.

"Theek se khao Meerab, " He said as he took a sip from his cup.

Murtasim was right. Time was the best healer. If she gave time to everything then life would become easy.